Spark-plug.



E OCONNELL.

SPARK PLUG.

APPLICATION man MAYI5, 191s.

Patented Apr. 8-, 1919.

1 gnuanfo'z O (lo/mm 15 l g EDWARD EDWARD OCQNNELL, OF WEST PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. A

SPARK-PLUG.

asa na.

} Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

Application filed May 15, 1918. Serial No. 234,604.

new; and useful improvements -in spark plugs, and has for its object to provide a device of this character which embodies novel features of construction whereby the sparking points can be readily renewedwhen they become bent or burned out, thereby avoiding the expense of providing an entirely neW spark plug.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a spark plug in which the insulation is not liable to crack or break and will be unafi'ected by the heat of the engine, which provides effective sparking points which are not liable to burn out or become clogged,-

and which admits of the sparking points being readily renewed, thereby greatly prolonging the life of the spark plug.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of the parts as will more fully appear as the description pro ceeds, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation of a spark plug constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View thereof. 1

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the spark plug.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate one possible embodiment of the invention, the numeral 1 designates a tubular metal shell of which an intermediate portion is exteriorly threaded at 2-so that the plug can be applied to an engine cylinder in the usual manner. The upper end of the shell has a polygonalformation, as indicated at 3, so that it can be readily engaged by a wrench or like tool when placing the plug in position or removing it therefrom, while the lower end of the shell terminates in a flange 4:. The opening through the tubular shell is enlarged at the lower end thereof, thereby providing a downwardly facing shoulder against which an insulating washer 5 is fitted. Arranged at the periphery of the washer 5 and extending downwardly therefrom is an insulating ring 6, said ring being preferably let into the side walls of the enlarged mouth of the shell so as to be flush therewith.

' A metal sleeve 7 extends through the tubular shell 1 and is thoroughly insulated therefrom. Metal washers 8 which are fitted upon the ends of the sleeve and held in position by upsetting or returning the extremities of the sleeve serve to hold the insulating sections 9 and 10 in position thereon. The insulation 9 is provided by rolling a layer of mica or the like around the sleeve, and this roll of insulation fits between the sleeve and the shell 1, extending upwardly from the lower washer 8 to a point midway between the top of the shell 1 and the upper washer 8. The insulating member 10 is interposed between the upper washer 8 and the top of the shell 1, being formed of a series of superposed disks of mica or like material which are fitted upon the sleeve.

This insulating member 10 surrounds that portion of the rolled insulation 9 which projects upwardly from the top of the shell. The two insulating members are held firmly in position by the washers 8, and the lower washer is efiectively insulated from the shell 1 by means of 71m insulating members 5 and 6.

A rod 11 fits removably within the sleeve 7 the upper e d thereof/ being threaded at 11*, while th ower end thereof terminates in a head 2. An elongated plate 13 is fitted upon the lower end of the rod 11 so as to bear against the head 12, and a spacing OOllafld l S interposed between the said plate 13 and the lower end of the sleeve 7.

' connecting a terminal or wire to the spark plum lB y providing two sparking points 13* the current will follow the least resistance, and if one of the gaps becomes clogged, there will still be a spark on the other side of the plug, and the explosion in the engine will have a tendencyto clean out the clogged gap. Should the sparking points 1.3 become burned, a new plate 18 can be readily substituted tor the old late, and the new late turned into a slightly difierent angular position so that the ends 13-"- thereof. will be dis posed opposite to fresh portions of the flange 4.. Should the entire periphery of the flange be burned or corroded to an objectoinable extent, the flange could be filed to present a clean surface. The spacing collar 14: can also be filed and shortened whenever it is necessary to move the plate 18 upwardly into the flange a at the lower end of the shell 1 to bring the sparking points 13 opposite freshportions of the flange. The

spark plug can thus be used almost indefinitely, since the sparking points are renewable and the insulating members are formed of mica or some similar material which will not crack or be injuriously effected by the heat of the engine.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim' as new and desire to secure by Lettors Patent, is1- I l. A spark plug including a tubular shell provided at the lower end thereof with a depending annular flange, a sleeve extending through the tubular shell, insulation interposed between the sleeve and the shell, the sleeve being held rigidly in position within the shell, a rod extending slidably through the sleeveand having a head at the lower end thereof, a sparking plate provided with an opening loosely receiving the rod and engaging the head at the lower end of the rod, a spacing collar interposed between the sleeve and sparking plate and holding the latter in position with the ends thereof spaced from the flange of the shell, and a nut threaded upon the upper end of the rod, and engagingthe sleeve to lock the rod and sparking plate in position.

2. A. spark plug including a tubular shell having the opening therethrough enlarged at its lower end to provide a shoulder, an annular flange being formed at the lower insane? end of the shell, an insulating washer fitted against the shoulder, a sleeve extending through the tubular shell, metal washers at the end of the sleeve, insulation surrounding the sleeve and held in position thereon by the metal washers, the lower metal washer engaging the before mentioned insulating washer while the upper metal washer overhangs the shell, a rod extending slidably through, the sleeve, a sparking plate mounted on the lower end of the rod and having the ends thereof spaced from the flange of the shell, a spacing collar between the sparking plate and the sleeve, and a nut threaded on the upper end or" the rod for engagement,

with the sleeve to lock therod and sparking plate in jOOSlillOlL I 3. A spark plug including a tubular shell having the opening therethrough enlarged at its lower end toprovidc a shoulder, a depending flange being provided upon the shell, a sleeve extending through the tubular shell, metal washers rigidly applied to opposite ends of the slceve,a sheet of insulating material rolled around the sleeve between the leeve and the" shell and extending upwardly from the lower washer to a point midway between the top of the shell and the upper washer, an insulating body interposed between the upper washer and the top of the shell and surrounding the upwardly projectingportion of the roll of insulation, the lower metal washer extending under the shoulder of the shell and coiiperating therewith and with the upper washer member to hold the sleeve and insulating body in posi- 'tion, a rod slid-able through the sleeve, a sparking plate carried by-the lower end of the rod in cofiperative relation to the flange of the shell, and a retaining nut threaded upon the upper end-oi the rod and engaging the sleeve to lock the rod and sparking plate in position.

4. A spark plug including a tubular shell provided at its lower end with a depending flange and having the opening therethrough enlarged at its lower end to provide'a shoulder, a sleeve extending through the tubular shell, metal washers rigidly applied to opposite ends of the sleeve, a'rolled sheet 01": insulation interposed between the sleeve and the shell and extending upwardly from the lower washer to a point midway between the top of the shell and the upper washer, an insulating body interposed between the upper washer and thetop of the shell and surrounding the upwardly projecting portion of the roll of insulation, the lower washer extending under the shoulder of the shell and cotiperating with the upper washer to hold the sleeves and insulating bodies in a rod slidable through the sleeve position, and having a head at its lower end, a spark ing plate fitted loosely on the rod and engaging the head, the ends of the sparking names? plate being spaced frexn the depending in testimony whereof I have signed my ange of the shell, a spacingeollar between name to this speelfication in the presence of the sparking plate and the sleeveyand a two subscribing Witnesses.

retaining nut threaded upon the upper end' EDWARD OGONNELL. :3 of the rod for engagement with the sleeve Witnesses:

to lock the rod and sparking plate in posi- WILLIAM E. GAUNT,

tion. ALICE MCNULTY. 

